Recent Program Features

Good morning,

With six weeks until classes begin in the fall, I wanted to update you on the fall planning that is taking place.

While the start of the school year feels like it is just around the corner, it’s important to note that six weeks is a very long time when we are in the midst of a pandemic. The planning we have done to date is focused on remaining flexible and ready to adapt to changing pandemic conditions. Every decision we have made is re-evaluated continuously as new guidance comes to us from the System Office, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

I encourage everyone to take a look at our campus COVID-19 Preparedness Plan recently posted on the Return to Learn web site. Here is a direct link to the document:

https://mankato.mnsu.edu/about-the-university/news-and-events/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-and-the-campus-community/return-to-learn/timeline-and-planning/covid-19-preparedness-plan/

That living document is a high-level overview of our safety and other plans and is updated as things change.

There are more specific plans being developed by each of the Return to Learn action teams, which are made up of administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Some of those plans, such as the notification procedures and daily self-screening guidelines, have been posted on the RTL site, here (links to student, employee, and visitor notification procedures on the right hand side of this page):

https://mankato.mnsu.edu/about-the-university/news-and-events/covid-19-novel-coronavirus-and-the-campus-community/return-to-learn/safety-measures/

Other elements of our fall plan are still in the works. I will email you to highlight essential parts as they are approved and posted.

Once again, I want to encourage everyone to be patient. The situation is fluid, and the guidance we base our work on is ever-changing. Dozens of dedicated faculty, staff, students, and administrators are working hard this summer to plan for a wide variety of scenarios. Like you, we are monitoring events closely. I will continue to update everyone at least weekly as we get closer to the start of the fall semester.

If you have specific questions, comments, or ideas, please email me at any time at: provost@mnsu.edu.

Thank you for all you do for our students and our university. Stay safe.

Kind regards,

Matt

Dear Campus Community:

I am writing today to update you on an issue that I know is very important to all of you. As the President’s Cabinet has addressed questions of COVID-19 safety, we considered how best to implement a face mask policy that would work for our campus. We offered and implemented on July 6, 2020, interim guidance to “strongly recommend” masks as part of our evolving COVID-19 Preparedness Plan that was first published two weeks ago. This matched guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and Office of Higher Education.

Today, after hearing from many of you and further reviewing the broader research, Minnesota State system guidance, and regional conditions, we are adapting our approach on this issue:

Beginning July 20, 2020, all Minnesota State University, Mankato faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be required to wear a face covering over both the nose and mouth at all times when indoors on campus or in other university facilities, with the following exceptions:

• When alone in a private office.
• When working in an office setting, cubicle, or workstation where physical distancing can be maintained.
• When in an assigned residence hall room or apartment.
• When eating or drinking.
• When alone in a motor vehicle.
• Individuals exercising, training, or practicing in Campus Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletic facilities (both indoor and outdoor) may remove the cloth face covering while under physical exertion or in other situations where wearing a mask compromises their safety and welfare.
• Children 12 and under or anyone unable to remove a face covering without assistance.
• When another accommodation is necessary as indicated by a medical expert and granted written permission of the university.
• When an exception for a non-medical reason has been granted by university administration.

As a reminder, we will be providing two branded cloth masks to everyone in our campus community. Those masks will be distributed soon. You can see more details of this directive, including information about compliance here.

It is our duty to do everything we can to make our campus safer as we welcome students, faculty, and staff back in the fall. I believe this is the right decision for the safety and security of our campus community.

Sincerely,

Richard Davenport
President

As President Davenport communicated earlier today, the University has adopted a new face covering requirement that goes into effect on Monday, July 20. Our plan is to have the branded cloth face masks that were ordered for all employee and students delivered to all departments through intercampus mail by that time, so that those who are currently working on campus have access to them.

Additional branded face masks remaining after distribution (students will each receive two masks inside the annual fall mailing that is sent in late July or early August) will be available for purchase through Printing Services and the Copy Shops.

The University is also making branded social distancing floor decals available to those who need them for their spaces. The decals, which are available for use on either carpet or tile, can be requested through the University Stores by emailing sharon.wetzel@mnsu.edu or calling 507-389-6900.

We also want to acknowledge the questions we’ve heard regarding how teleworking employees will be notified about the transition back to their physical workspaces on campus. The intention is that supervisors will give a reasonable notice period (e.g. two weeks whenever practical) so that affected employees can make the necessary personal arrangements to prepare for the transition. If the situation around the pandemic shifts unexpectedly, supervisors will provide adjusted notice as soon as possible.

As always, all faculty and staff are encouraged to submit any questions about Return to Learn here. We will do our best to get back to you with answers as soon as possible.

A majority of internships require a resume and cover letter. These documents must be strong and well laid out to even be considered. The Career Development Center offers many resources to help prepare resumes and cover letters. Their Job Search Handbook is particularly helpful for helping prepare these documents (plus there are examples!).  Here are some additional resources for students:

• ResumeBuild, Indeed Resume Builder and Resume.com can be used to craft resumes but there are many other resume builders out there. Students should find the one that suits them best.
• Cover Letter Builder is a resource to help understand what a cover letter should look like. Students should write their own, original letters but this can be used to get students started.
• Community Engagement (volunteering) can help build connections, enhance a student’s relationship with the community and provide a new outlook to someone else’s life all while helping advance one’s own career.